Louis-Philippe, "King of the French"

Hundreds of caricatures of Louis-Philippe were published during his reign, especially in newspapers such as Charivari and La Caricature. His conservative ministry, led by François Guizot and supported mainly by the upper bourgeoisie, was unresponsive to the economic needs and political desires of the growing industrial classes. For this reason, contemporary cartoons frequently portray him stealing public funds. Opposition to the monarchy grew, until it culminated with the Revolution of 1848, when Louis-Philippe abdicated and fled to England. He died there two years later.

Caricatures of Louis-Philippe often depicted him with the head of a pear, perhaps because of a certain natural resemblance, but more likely because the slang meaning of "poire" is simpleton or bungler.

A pear-headed Louis-Philippe runs from an angry crowd while money falls out of a bag he carries. The title is a play on words—it can mean a pear that has been dried in the oven, or it can refer to the slang meaning of "taper," to borrow money from someone.

"Crowned by the Academy of Overripe Pears." The head of Louis-Philippe appears as the fruit of a potted plant, beneath which is printed "empoté en 1830, dépoté en 1848." Guizot is a poisonous parasite on the plant.